Landscaping and Gardening for Birds
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service HLA-6435
Landscaping
and Gardening for Birds
David Hillock
Assistant Extension Specialist, Consumer Horticulturist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
are also available on our website at:
Mike Schnelle http://osufacts.okstate.edu
Extension Floriculture Specialist
Kim Toscano berries will be attractive, provide shelter in the winter, and still
Extension Horticulture Specialist feed wildlife.
Use native plants whenever possible. Our native birds are
adapted to the native plants, which are often drought resistant,
cold and heat tolerant, and many are proven bird attractors.
Attracting birds to landscapes and outdoor areas is an An additional benefit is that they are often low maintenance.
activity that can bring much enjoyment to the entire family. Use flowering plants. Hummingbirds require a constant
Landscaping and gardening for birds is gaining in popularity as and diverse supply of flowers on which to feed from April
people become more aware of the benefits of having a diverse until late fall. Some early blooming plants are the American
environment around them. Bringing these beautiful creatures columbine (Aquilegia spp.), petunia (Petunia spp.), foxglove
near homesites also helps manage insect populations and (Digitalis spp.), hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.), and larkspur
maintain the ecological balance of outdoor environments. (Delphinium consolida). Late blooming plants include red
Birds need three things to survive — food, water, and bergamot (Monarda spp.), cardinal flower (Salvia coccinea),
shelter. These elements can easily be supplied in your back- scarlet trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicer spp.), salvia (Salvia
yard. One of the key elements for attracting many species of spp.), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans). For best
birds is a wide variety of plants arranged into sheltered areas results, choose plants that prefer bright sunny areas. The
of shrubs and trees, open areas of lawns and gardens, and/ plants will yield greater quantities of nectar given adequate
or wet areas around ponds and streams. access to sunlight, and the hummingbirds will benefit from
Gardeners and landscapers should be aware that the the sun’s warming rays.
predominant habitat type in the area will determine which
bird species can be attracted to a yard. For example, if the
entire neighborhood is heavily wooded, purple martins will Trees and Shrubs
be difficult or impossible to attract. On the other hand, areas Many tree and shrub species can be useful for both
with many tall, mature trees will have numerous birds, such wildlife and gardeners. There are several selections in the
as some of the owls, vireos, and warblers, that open areas listings that follow. An example would be the many oaks that
may not attract. Some species such as the cardinal and grow throughout Oklahoma such as chinkapin (Quercus mue-
mockingbird require shrub cover. In particular, a new house hlenbergii), live (Q. virginiana), red (Q. rubra), and shumard
in a recently built residential area, will need time for the yard (Q. shumardii) oaks. Check for species best adapted to your
to mature. As the shrubs and trees grow, so will the number location and soil type. (See Tables 1, 2, and 3.)
of birds that visit the yard. New areas with few mature trees
and little shelter for birds will take several years to become
Herbaceous Plants
hospitable places for birds requiring trees and shrubs.
Herbaceous plants can be either annuals or perennials.
Annuals are those plants that need to be replanted each year.
Food Perennial plants that are adapted to Oklahoma’s Winter Hardy
Zones 6 and 7 should provide years of benefit to the land-
Plant Materials scape. Some perennials are tender and need extra protection
Use a diverse selection of plant materials to provide food by mulching during the winter. There are also a few tender
and shelter for birds. Fill the yard with fruit- or seed-bearing perennials grown as annuals. Many grasses, both ornamental
plants for the best habitat development. Although most plants and native, may serve as resources for food, nesting material,
are beautiful, not all benefit wildlife other than to give shelter. or shelter.
For example, a forsythia (Forsythia spp.) or lilac (Syringa spp.) Vines on fences and other supports can turn a part of
hedge can provide shelter and be a spectacular sight in the the yard into prime real estate for food, nesting, and shelter.
spring, but they provide no seeds or fruits for birds. On the Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), trumpet creeper (Campsis
other hand, an evergreen holly (Ilex spp.) hedge loaded with radicans), clematis (Clematis spp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University
spp.), grapes (Vitis spp.), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocis- Seed feeders are visited by cardinals, juncos, sparrows,
sus quinquefolia) have the added attraction of flowers and/ chickadees, finches, mourning doves, blackbirds, squirrels,
or fruits. (See Tables 4 and 5.) chipmunks, and others. Fruit feeders (wedges of oranges,
apples, bananas) are favored by orioles, bluebirds, towhees,
Miscellaneous Plant Materials woodpeckers, tanagers, brown thrashers, catbirds, and
Vegetable crops make nice choices for many birds. Sac- robins. Nectar feeders attract hummingbirds, orioles, and
rifice a few vegetables each year by picking damaged pieces occasionally a variety of other seemingly unlikely birds such
and leaving them in another open location for the birds to eat. as woodpeckers and chickadees.
Many times the rest of the crop will be left alone.
In a smaller section of the garden or landscape, incor-
porate legumes, grains, or native grasses like alfalfa, clover, Hummingbird Feeders
millet, quaking oats, sea oats, or switchgrass. Harvest a few For the best success, hummingbird feeders should be
heads for feed during the winter and then let the finches, quail, placed in or near the hummingbird garden to encourage
pheasants, mourning doves, and juncos eat what is left. Farm feeding from natural sources. However, additional feeders
supply stores carry these seeds. may be placed near a window or porch in order to see and
Bark, leaf, or compost mulches attract insects on which photograph the hummingbirds up close. When placing the
many animals and birds feed. feeders near the house, be sure to use several feeders and
Lawns play a role in feeding several species of birds hang them far apart. Hummingbirds are extremely territorial
such as robins, mockingbirds, and flickers because of the and aggressive around a single food source.
insects and worms they find there. For this reason pesticide It is important to use a feeder with a bee and wasp
use should be minimized. guard. This will eliminate aggressive competition for nectar
Allow weedy areas to grow up at the back of the yard or between these insects and hummingbirds. However, do not
wherever the homeowner and the neighbors will not see them. be concerned if small insects are found in the mouth of the
Weeds in the right places, usually far away from gardens, can feeder. They fulfill the protein requirements for hummingbirds
be very useful for animal food and shelter. Dandelion seeds and should not be removed from the feeder until cleaning.
are a favorite of goldfinches, buntings, chipping sparrows, Never use honey or a sugar substitute when making a
and finches. nectar mix. Honey will attract bees as well as a black fungus
that will cause a fatal liver and tongue disease in humming-
birds. Also, the use of red food coloring in the solution is both
Supplemental Feeding
unnecessary and unhealthy for the birds, especially when the
Supplying bird feeders in the landscape will create ad- feeder already has the appropriate red plastic blossom. Either
ditional opportunities to watch birds feed. Place bird feeders buy a commercial nectar solution or simply make one using
where they can easily be seen from the house and enjoy the one part granulated sugar to four parts boiling water. Allow
activities of the birds. Keep feeders stocked, especially during the nectar to cool before filling the feeder.
bad winter weather, but do not forget that summer feeding Hummingbird feeders require cleaning every two to three
can also be rewarding. Shrubs or trees should be no closer days, especially in warm weather. Feeders made of plastic,
than 10 feet so birds can escape in case of danger. glass, or ceramic should be washed with a solution of 1 ta-
Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly. Diseases blespoon white vinegar and 1 cup water. Use a bottle brush
can grow in wet and moldy seed, in bird droppings, and in to clean hardened debris on feeders, and rinse thoroughly
warm sugar water. It is a good idea to move your feeders each with warm water.
season to give the ground underneath time to break down the
seed debris and bird drop-pings, or rake up the seed debris
and place it in the compost pile.
Water
Water can be supplied by bird baths, shallow edges of
decorative ponds, or natural streams, ponds, or lakes. Dripping
water is especially enticing to birds and can be as elaborate
as a fountain or as simple as a garden hose turned on at low
volume. Equally effective is a milk jug (with a small hole in
the bottom) hung from a tree branch over a bird bath.
Bird baths should have a clear area of ten feet in di-
ameter around the bath to prevent predators from sneaking
up on birds drinking from the water. The water level should
be no deeper than two inches. Place a rock in the center to
make it easier for birds to use. Keep the bath away from the
bird feeder to prevent food from spoiling the water. The bath
should be washed out every three to four days and disinfected
once or twice a year with bleach. Do not add any chemicals
to the water. A bird bath heater can be used during the winter
to keep the water from freezing and thus attract an amazing
variety of birds.
HLA-6435-2
Shelter
Birds require shelter for nesting as well as protection from
predators and inclement weather. Shelter can be provided in
many ways. If there is room, pile broken branches, prunings,
and other miscellaneous plant materials into an open pile for
cardinals, wrens, towhees, and sparrows. Thorny or densely
branched trees and shrubs, such as shrub roses, blackberries,
raspberries, barberries, trifoliate orange, and rose acacia
provide excellent shelter.
Evergreens provide shelter during the winter when other
plants have lost their leaves. Pine trees, hollies, southern
magnolias, and rhododendrons are examples. Junipers also
provide berries in the winter but are so common in Oklahoma
that wildlife may benefit more from less prevalent evergreens.
Nest Boxes
Bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, and woodpeckers can be
attracted to the yard with the right nest boxes. Boxes should
NEST BOX SPECIFICATIONS FOR OKLAHOMA CAVITY NESTERS
SPECIES Floor Depth Entrance Diameter Height Preferred Habitat
of Cavity of Cavity above Floor of Entrance above Ground
(inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (feet)
SMALL CAVITY NESTERS
Eastern Bluebirds 4x4 12 6 1 1/2 3-6 Open land with scattered trees
Chickadees 4x4 12 6-8 1 1/2 4-15 Open woods & edges
Titmice 4x4 12 6-8 1 1/2 4-15 Open woods & edges
Nuthatches 4x4 12 6-8 1 1/2 4-15 Open woods & edges
Wrens 4x4 12 4-6 1 1/2 3-10 Old fields & thickets
Prothonotary Warblers a 4x4 12 4-6 1 1/2 3-12 Wooded streams & swamps
Swallows b 5x5 10 1 side open 1 1/2 3-8 Open land near ponds or lakes
Great-crested Flycatchers 6x6 12 6-8 1 3/4 c 6-20 Open woods & edges
House Finches 6x6 8 4-6 2 5-10 Backyards & porches
Purple Martins 8x8 6 2 2 1/4 15-25 Open country near water
LARGE CAVITY NESTERS
American Kestrels 8x8 18 9-12 3 8-30 Open farmland & wooded
edges
Screech Owls d 8x8 18 9-12 3 8-30 Farmland, orchards, woods
Wood Ducks a,d,e 12x12 24 12-16 4 3-30 Wooded swamps, rivers,
marshes
Barred Owls d 14x14 28 18-20 8 15-30 Mature bottomland forests
Barn Owls d 16x20 16 4 6 15-30 Farmland; on barn, silo, or large
tree
WOODPECKERS f
Downy Woodpeckers 4x4 12 6-8 1 1/2 5-15 Forest openings & edges
Hairy Woodpeckers 6x6 14 9-12 1 1/2 8-20 Forest openings & edges
Red-bellied & Red-headed W. 6x6 14 9-12 2 8-20 Forest openings & edges
Northern Flickers 7x7 18 14-16 2 1/2 8-20 Farmland, open country
Pileated Woodpeckers 12x12 24 16-18 4 15-25 Mature forest
KEY:
a - Species prefer nest box mounted on post 3 ft. to 4 ft. above open water
b - Staple 3"-wide hardware-cloth “ladder” directly under hole on inside of nest box
c - Use a 1 9/16" hole if starlings are problem
d - Add 2" to 3" wood chips to simulate floor of natural cavity
e - Staple 5"-wide hardware-cloth “ladder” directly under hole on inside of nest box
f - Pack woodpecker nest box with sawdust for birds to “excavate”
HLA-6435-3be cleaned and ready for occupancy by mid-February. Clean by law and should be controlled if necessary. One good way
nest boxes at the end of each nesting season to prepare them to control starlings is to make entrance holes less than 1 3/4
for next year’s occupants. inches in diameter. Removing house sparrow nests is a way
The European starling and English (house) sparrow are to successfully control sparrow numbers in the yard.
introduced species of birds that may cause problems in nest Purple martin houses are especially popular and widely
boxes. Both species compete with native songbirds for nest used. For success with martin houses, place them in an open
cavities and structures. They often physically drive native area within 100 feet of a house, as martins seem to prefer
species from nest sites. Neither of these species are protected being close to humans. There should be no vines or shrubs
by the pole and no trees within a 50 foot radius of the martin
house. Cleaning the martin house requires raising and low-
SEVEN STEPS TO LANDSCAPING
ering the apparatus. It may be necessary to regularly evict
YOUR YARD FOR WILDLIFE starlings and house sparrows until a colony of martins finds
the house and starts to occupy it; use a crescent shaped
1. Set your objectives and priorities. Decide which opening to eliminate starlings. Once they use it to nest, the
types of birds or other animals you may feasibly martins should come back around the middle of March year
attract given the habitat surrounding your yard and after year. For additional information in building bird houses
already in place (for example, whether the area and feeders, you may obtain Shelves, Houses, and Feeders
is open, forested, etc.). Organize your landscape for Birds and Mammals from your local OSU Cooperative
design accordingly, using plants that you know will Extension office.
work best for you.
2. Draw a map of your property. A map will help de-
Further Wildlife Enhancements
termine how much available space you have and 1. Leave as many thick, dead branches and tree trunks
other features about your yard. A map can help you (snags) in the landscape as possible. Woodpeckers,
experiment with different designs, keeping in mind chickadees, warblers, nuthatches, and brown creepers
those areas that are either shady, sunny, wet, dry, will look for insects on them. Other birds can use the
or scenic. cavities in dead wood for homes. Safety of the trees
must be considered, too.
3. Review the basic needs of birds (food, water, shelter, 2. Place short pieces of yarn (4 to 6 inches), hair, or the
cover) and determine those components already feathers from an old feather pillow in the yard. Birds will
present in your yard and those that may be lacking. use the material for their nests.
Check the tables for listings of plants to determine 3. Keep a small area of the garden muddy for robins and
which plants are appropriate for your area that you swallows to use for making their mud nests.
may want or need to obtain. Realize that while your 4. Minimize the use of chemicals in the yard. The more
yard and garden may not provide all of the neces- insects around the yard, the more birds will visit. Try to
sary components, your neighbor’s yards may contain remove problem insects by hand. Some insects can be
some of these. Emphasize native plants! ignored without damaging plants too much. Most plants
can tolerate some insect or disease damage without
4. Check with natural resource professionals and vari- harmful effects.
ous reference books at your library or bookstore for 5. If you have a cat, keep it indoors as much as possible.
practical tips. Keeping the cat inside all the time would be best. Cats are
very efficient predators and can kill numerous birds each
5. Develop a planting plan. It is important to draw shrub- day, generally more than the owner realizes. Encourage
bery and trees at full or mature size to plan for space your neighbors to keep their cats inside or to use collars
needs. Determine how much money you are willing with bells.
to spend. Realize that you do not have to plant it all 6. Open, dry, dusty areas are great for birds to use as dust
in one season. Use native plants where possible. baths. Leave a small area of the garden unplanted and
dry to make a dust bath. Stir up the soil occasionally to
6. Implement your plan. Shop local nurseries and get it started. A pile of sand or crushed egg shells nearby
garden centers as well as catalogues of plant and can also serve as grit for birds that need it for digestion
seed suppliers to determine the availability of plant of food.
materials. Keep records of your expenses and take
pictures as your plan develops. Hummingbirds
Of all of the hundreds of bird species, hummingbirds are
7. Maintain your plan. This involves watering, fertilizing, particularly interesting and delightful to attract to the yard.
pruning, weeding, and mowing. Remember, native These tiny, energetic birds can provide hours of enjoyment
plants will be more forgiving of lack of care and will through their dazzling flying abilities, acrobatics, and bold
require less maintenance than exotics. Maintaining personalities. In addition, hummingbirds are often as brightly
nest boxes and feeders on a regular basis is also colored as jewels.
necessary. The hummingbird is the smallest native bird in North
America, length totaling about 3 1/2 inches overall. Its weight
is only about 1/4 of an ounce. Hummingbirds are identified by
HLA-6435-4the extremely rapid movement of their tiny wings that creates a secure landing place because they must perch before
a humming sound as they fly or hover. The average wingbeat nectaring. Hummingbirds and some sphinx moths hover and
of a hummingbird in flight is 55 strokes per second. therefore prefer flowers with tubular corollas. As a result, some
The metabolism of hummingbirds is also one of its dis- plantings for lepidoptera may also benefit hummingbirds, and
tinguishing features. For its size, it surpasses all other warm vice-versa. Like lepidopterans, hummingbirds cannot survive
blooded creatures on earth in energy consumption. On aver- on nectar alone.
age, it must feed every fifteen minutes during the day in order To fulfill their nutritional requirement, hummingbirds rely
to survive. Because there is no way for the hummingbird to on the protein found in small insects trapped in the sticky
continue this feeding activity during the night, it must either nectar that they ingest from flowers. This protein is especially
store up excess fat and carbohydrates prior to nightfall or go important for the feeding of young. Last, hummingbirds and
into a torpor, which is a period of dormancy. By becoming lepidoptera share a dependence upon body temperature for
torpid, its feeding requirements are drastically reduced. Torpor the ability to fly. Hummingbirds cannot fly if their body tem-
is utilized by all species of hummingbirds except for those perature is below 86° Fahrenheit. For additional information
females that are incubating or brooding their young. Torpor on lepidopterans, see Fact Sheet No. HLA-6430 Landscaping
will usually not occur unless the outside temperature is less to Attract Butterflies, Moths, and Skippers.
than 95°F, or there have been negligible sources of food.
Hummingbirds are unique in their method of feeding,
which requires them to extract nectar from blossoms using ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
their long, split, retractable tongue. Contrary to popular belief, Inquire about Oklahoma’s Backyard Certification Program
hummingbirds do not use their tongues as humans would a through:
straw, but rather, exhibit a licking motion at a rate of about 13
licks per second. Their tongues have tiny fringes along the split Landscaping for Wildlife
edges that help with the ingestion of small insects trapped in Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
nectar. Hummingbirds also capture small insects flying about 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.
in the air, especially when raising their young. Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Male hummingbirds exhibit their most dramatic display of (405) 521-3851
color and behavior during courtship and defensive displays. http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlifemgmt/landscape.
In these displays, the male will ascend to varying heights and htm
then dive straight down toward the object of his affection or
irritation. His wingbeat will sometimes increase to up to 200 The National Wildlife Federation
beats per second, which creates both a loud humming sound PO Box 1583
and a wonderful visual display of his iridescent feathers. Merrifield VA 22116-1583
All North American hummingbirds are migratory except 800-822-9919
the Anna’s hummingbird which remains in California. The two
species of hummingbirds most frequently seen in Oklahoma Oklahoma Partners in Flight
are the two that migrate the farthest distance each year. These http://www.partnersinflight.org/
are the ruby-throated and the less frequently occurring rufous Oklahoma contact:
hummingbirds which may travel 2,000 miles or more. For the Mark D. Howery, Wildlife Diversity Biologist
ruby-throat, 500 of those miles are nonstop over the Gulf of (405)424-2728
Mexico. In order for the ruby-throated hummingbird to sustain
itself for the journey, it must accumulate about half of its nor-
mal body weight in fat. These trips are made individually and
not in flocks or small groups. In addition to the ruby-throated
and rufous hummingbirds, the black-chinned and broad-tailed
hummingbirds can be seen, although rarely, in the western
part of the state.
Hummingbirds have many similarities with butterflies,
moths, and skippers (Lepidopterans). Hummingbirds are
probably able to distinguish all wavelengths of light which
is functional for feeding and mating. They have iridescent
colors on their bodies, although these are produced with tiny
feathers rather than with scales. The most prominent similarity
between lepidoptera and hummingbirds is that both feed on
nectar, although lepidoptera prefer more fragrant blossoms
than hummingbirds. Lepidopterans need petals to provide
Special thanks to other contributors to this fact sheet: Teresa Thomas, Don Banks, and Clydette Borthick - Oklahoma Botanical Garden and
Arboretum Volunteer Ambassadors. Melynda Hickman and Champe Green provided valuable technical reviews.
Oklahoma Gardening - TV You’ll Grow to Love
Produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service on OETA
Visit the Backyard Wildlife Habitat at the OKG Studio Gardens located in the Botanic Garden in Stillwater.
HLA-6435-5TABLE 1
ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
TREES Medium - Large (>25')
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) X X X F F tolerant of pollution,
resents root disturbance,
flowers small & obscure
Buckeye (Aesculus spp.) X Sp
F/W Sp very shade tolerant
Cherry (Prunus spp.) X X Sp Sum Sum Sp
Chittimwood (Bumelia lanuginosa) X X X F/W
Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) X X W F/W F/W F/W need male & female, evergreen
Hackberry (Celtis spp.) X X F/W durable, galls on foliage
Hickory (Carya spp.) X
F/W
Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) X X F interesting bark
Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) X X X Sp/Sum YR F F YR evergreen, fragrant blooms
Maple (Acer spp.) X X Sp F Sp
Mimosa or Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) X X Sum messy, pest prone,
cultivars with some resistance to vascular
wilt diseases are ‘Charlotte’ & ‘Tryon’
HLA-6435-6
Mulberry (Morus spp.) X X Sp Sp fruit messy in high traffic areas
Oak (Quercus spp.) X X F/W numerous species
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) X X F/W galls on foliage
Pine (Pinus spp.) X X W F/W YR evergreen
River Birch (Betula nigra) X X X F/W F/W interesting bark
Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) X X X Sum
Sum *
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) X X Sp Sum Sp does poorly in central and
western Oklahoma
KEY: *Hummingbird Favorite
W - Winter, Sp - Spring, Sum - Summer, F - Fall, YR - Year Round
SOURCE: The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of GardeningTABLE 2
ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
TREES - Small (TABLE 3
ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
SHRUBS
Abelia (Abelia spp.) X X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus spp.) X X Sp Sum Sum fragrant flowers, can spread and
be a problem
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) X X X Sp Sp *needs acid soil
Barberry (Berberis spp.) X X X X Sp F/W Sum Sum YR thorns, only 2 species evergreen in Okla.
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) X X W F/W F/W YR
Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.) X X X X F/W Sum/F fertile, well-drained soils,
fruits are bright purple
Blackberry (Rubus spp.) X Sum Sum YR thorns provide shelter
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) X X X Sp F Sum Sum needs acid soil
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) X X X X F Sum Sum
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja spp.) X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum watch for spider mites
Carolina Buckthorn
(Rhamnus carolinianus) X X X X Sp Sum Sum
Carolina Cherry Laurel
(Prunus caroliniana) X X X Sp Sum/F Sum/F evergreen
Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) X X X X Sp F F F YR
Clove Currant (Ribes odoratum) X X Sp Sum Sum fragrant flowers
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) X X X X Sp YR F F YR deciduous and evergreen types
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) X X X X Sp Sum Sum Sp
Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) X X Sum Sum semi-evergreen, suckers
Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) X X X Sp W F/W F/W YR not susceptible to fire blight
disease, evergreen, pollution tolerant
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.) X X Sp Sum Sum YR thorns
HLA-6435-8
Holly Grape (Mahonia spp.) X X X Sp W Sum Sum YR spiny foliage, evergreen,
Holly (Ilex spp.) X X X W F/W F/W YR need male & female for berries
Huckleberry (Gaylussacia spp.) X X X Sp F Sum Sum
Indian Current Snowberry [Buckbrush} X X X Sum Sum
(Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) X X W F/W F/W YR select variety with fruit, evergreen
Mahonia (Mahonia spp.) X X X X X Sp YR Sp/Sum Sp/Sum YR evergreen
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) X X X
Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.) X X Sp/Sum W Sum Sum Sp/Sum YR thorny, evergreen
Privet (Ligustrum spp.) X X X Sp Sum/F Sum/F
Rose (Rosa spp.) X X Sp/Sum/F Sum Sum YR thorny, Rugosa types best
Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) X X X X X Sp F/W F/W Sp
Sand Plum (Prunus augustifolia) X X Sp Sum Sum spiny branchlets
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) X X Sp Sp highly aromatic
Spirea (Spiraea spp.) X X Sp/SumSp/Sum/F Sp/Sum *
Staggerbush (Lyonia mariana) X X Sum Sum shiny, leathery foliage
Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) X X X X F Sum F Sp/Sum scale problems under stress
Sumac (Rhus spp.) X X X F F/W F/W beautiful fall foliage
Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana) X X X Sum F YR
Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) X X X Sp Sum/F Sum/F
Weigela (Weigela spp.) X X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *
Yucca (Yucca spp.) X X Sp/Sum W Sp/Su YR spiny
KEY: * Hummingbird Favorite
W - Winter, Sp - Spring, Sum - Summer, F - Fall, YR - Year Round
SOURCE: The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of GardeningTABLE 4
ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
VINES/GROUND COVERS primarily native species
Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) X X X X Sum/F Sum/F needs male and female, scale is possible
Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) X X X X F Sum/F Sum beautiful fall color
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) X X X X Sp/Sum
Sp/Sum perennial
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea) X Sum Sum *annual, moderately fertile,
well-drained soil
Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens) X X X Sp YR Sp Sp evergreen
Creeping raspberry (Rubus calcynoides) X X X Sp YR Sum Sum Sp evergreen/semi-evergreen
Cross Vine X X X X Sum Sum evergreen vine
(Bignonia capreolata)
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) X X Sum Sum aggressive, annual, red tubular flowers
English Ivy (Hedera helix) X X X W YR evergreen
Field Pea (Pisum sativum
var. arvense) X X Sum
Grapes (Vitis spp.) X X Sum Sum aggressive
HLA-6435-9
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) X X X X Sp/Sum W Sum Sum Sp/Sum YR numerous species, shrubs to vines
Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) X X Sum Sum *annual
Passion Vine (Passiflora spp.) X X Sum Sum/F Sum/F Sum often fragrant, nectar-rich flowers,
attractive, sometimes edible fruits,
shade in hot summer sun
Pepper Vine (Ampelopsis arborea) X X X Sum Sum/F Sp/Sum native, root suckers
Pipevine (Aristolochia spp.) X X unusual, often malodorous flowers,
well-drained loamy soil rich in organic
matter, water sparingly in winter,
plentifully in growing season
Scarlet Runner Bean X X X Sp/Sum Sum Sum Sp/Sum *
(Phaseolus coccineus)
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis spp.) X X X F F F *fragrant white flowers early fall
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) X X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *very aggressive, prolific, rootsuckers
(Madame Galen var. will not root sucker),
coral flowers
Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) X X X X F Sum/F Sum beautiful fall color
KEY: * Hummingbird Favorite
W - Winter, Sp - Spring, Sum - Summer, F - Fall, YR - Year Round
SOURCE: The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of GardeningTABLE 5
ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) X X Sum Sum annual, cool season
Aster (Aster spp.) X X F F perennial
Beebalm [Bergamot] (Monarda didyma) X X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *perennial
Bellflower (Campanula spp.) X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum perennial
Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) X X Sum Sum Sum perennial
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) X X Sum Sum *perennial
Canna (Canna spp.) X X X X Sum/F Sum Sum/F *perennial
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) X X X Sum Sum *perennial
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *perennial
Coneflower
(Echinacea or Rudbeckia spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) X X Sp Sp *perennial
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Corn (Zea mays) X X Sum annual, leave some for quail & pheasants
Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) X Sum Sum Sum annual
Dame’s Violet (Hesperis matronalis) X Sum Sum *annual
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
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Dill (Anethum graveolens) X X Sum Sum annual, swallowtail butterfly favorite
Evening Primrose (Oenothera spp.) X X Sp Sum/F Sp *perennial
Firebush (Hamelia patens) X X Sum Sum annual
Fire Pink (Silene virginica) X X X X Sum Sum *perennial
Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) X X X Sum Sum *reseeding perennial
Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora) X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *tender perennial
Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) X X Sum Sum *tender perennial
Gentian (Gentiana spp.) X X X Sum Sum *perennial
Gerardia (Gerardia spp.) X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum perennial wildflower
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) X X X Sum Sum annual or perennial, Lord Baltimore:
scarlet—hummingbird favorite
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) X Sum Sum Sum *perennial
Impatiens (Impatiens spp.) X X Sp/Sum Sp/Sum *annual
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) X X Sp Sp *perennial
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Lantana (Lantana spp.) X Sum Sum tender perennial
Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) X X Sum Sum *annual, cool season
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) X X Sp Sp perennial
Liatris [Gay Feather] (Liatris spp.) X X Sum Sum perennial
Lupine (Lupinus spp.) X X Sp/Sum Sum Sp/Sum *perennial
Mallow (Malva spp.) X Sp Sp annualENVIRONMENT PEOPLE WILDLIFE REMARKS
Sun Shade Pt. Sun Moist Dry Flowers Foliage Fruit Seed Nuts Fruit Flowers Shelter
Marigold (Tagetes spp.) X Sum Sum annual, spider mites
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
X Sum Sum
Sum annual, spider mites
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) Sum Sum perennial
Mint (Mentha spp.) X X X Sum Sum *perennial, invasive
Mullein (Verbascum spp.) X X Sum Sum
Sum biennial
Nicotiana [Flowering Tobacco]
(Nicotiana alata) X X Sum Sum *annual
Partridge Pea (Cassia fasciculata) X X Sum Sum Sum annual
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) X X X Sp Sp *perennial
Pentas (Pentas spp.) X Sp/F Sp/F annual
Petunia (Petunia hybrida) X Sum
Sum *annual
Phlox (Phlox spp.) X Sum
Sum *annual or perennial
Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) X F F tender perennial
Pot Marigold (Calendula spp.) X X Sp Sp cool season annual
Primrose (Primula vulgaris) X X Sum
Sum *perennial, cool season, tender
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria) X X Sum
Sum *perennial, red varieties
Sage (Salvia spp.) X X Sum Sum *annual (are red) & perennial
Scabiosa [Pincushion Flower]
(Scabiosa spp.) X Sum Sum annual or perennial
Sedum (Sedum spp.) X Sum/F F Sum/F perennial
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.) X Sum Sum cool season annual
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well-drained moderately fertile soil
Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) X X Sum Sum Sum annual
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) X X X Sp/F Sp/F *annual or perennial
Tickseed (Bidens spp.) X X Sum Sum Sum annual
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) X X Sum annual, leave some fruit for wildlife
Verbena (Verbena spp.) X X
X Sum Sum moisture retentive soil, annual or perennial
Yarrow (Achillea spp.) X X Sum F Sum annual or perennial
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) X Sum Sum Sum annual
KEY: * Hummingbird Favorite
W - Winter, Sp - Spring, Sum - Summer, F - Fall, YR - Year Round
SOURCE: The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, 4 Vols. MacMillian, 1992.The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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